Posted 01-19-2004 at 09:14:07
[Reply][Send Email]Hello. We moved in to our home almost 4 years ago and everything was going well until we became better aquainted with our neighbors. At first they were always borrowing things and never returning them. Then one day their children walked into our home univited. I don't think they thought I was home because they started to head back towards my office where the computer is. When I approached them about being in my home they said "Oh we just came to use the computer". I was very upset and called their parents. I asked them to make sure their children had permission from someone in my home to enter before they just come in. Well time goes by and their dogs start chasing people on bikes from OUR yard. Their dog knocks over trash cans and rips bags open. It also busted out our garage window. Their horses are alway out and have ruined our gardens, our grape vines and apple trees. I love horses but they do not turn on their electric fence and they always go right though it. They are out about an average of 5 times a month or more. Then last year I caught there children stealing money from our vehicle. When we spoke with the parents about it they became angry at us. I have given these people food, clothes, money, and many other items in the past to be neighborly. I have never asked for anything in return. We also have reason to believe that they shot our dog that was in our fenced back yard. The same day the dog was shot their youngest son asked to borrow 22 shells, of course I said no. The next day our dog was dead with a 22 shell in his head . We also suspect that they stole all of the venison and meat from one of our freezers. They have shot arrows into our back yard towards our dog kennel. I put up no tresspassing signs up on our fence that faces their yard. That same night the were shooting paintball guns at our shed. They hit the shed and almost hit my husband and our dog. We called the sherrif about the arrows and paint balls. They said their was not much we could do. I need to figure something our or we will have to move. It is no longer safe for my child to play outside in the country, in a fenced back yard!!!! I am at the end of my rope.

Posted 01-20-2004 at 10:26:51
[Reply] [No Email]I'm going to show my age but my father had a similar problem when he moved to our farm in the 50's. His was with mules instead of horses. The practice then was for some of the local no counts to let their mules run free over the winter and live off the land so that the no counts wouldn't have to feed them. He got tired of the herd of mules shownin up in his yard all the time so one day he got in his truck with his shotgun and started herding them away from the farm making a whole lot of racket. They got the next farm and that farmer took over and so on. By the time they were all finished the mules were in the next county and still moving. Might try this with the horses.

later

slim

BOSS

Posted 01-19-2004 at 19:38:52
[Reply] [No Email]sneak over tonight and burn their house down.

I was warned about some neighbors just like that when we built our house. Well I made it known to whoever I talked to around the town that I won't ever put up with anything that would disturb me or my family. Plus for the first few months I invited everybody I knew to go shooting on our property, it was like the militia just moved in!! I kept up the "image" for a few months, BUT also being real nice to everybody else. And the mean neighbor never even looked my way. I even walked over on his property to "test" him. word was out that he pulled a gun on a lady for walking near his property line, So I walked ON his property line. He was a no show. I guess mine were bigger than his. He moved last year saying people were getting to close to him and he couldn't take it anymore. All of the nieghbors here are great now. We all have a great time.

About the house burning???? do it during a lightning storm.

Willy-N

Posted 01-19-2004 at 22:21:48
[Reply] [No Email]I am LOL!!! I did the same thing when I moved in. They knew I had guns and was kind of crazy. I flew a American Flag and a POW Flag on a real tall pole and still do. I also fence my place. I am good freinds with my neibors and the one's who did give me problems are now moved out. It was a battle but I won that one! It was like He** Week for a while but I did not let them walk all over me either. Cops got involved and that helped. During our big fire there house was not saved what a bummer but it was not a loss either. Mark H.

dave 50 8n

Posted 01-19-2004 at 18:56:03
[Reply] [No Email]Good fences make good neighbors. That's true with real fences and with emotional fences.

In the meantime, use your door locks, build fences and gates, and use your freezer locks.

Whether or not you decide to move, you might want to talk >>in person<< to the sheriff or supervisoring sheriff about these issues. Make sure they know of your grievences...put it in writing to them first? A good sheriff will take the time to go to these neighbors and talk to them to calm them down or act neighborly. that's part of their job, and that maybe all that it takes. Perhaps have the Sheriff tell them they are not welcomed on your property, have the sheriff advise them of their animal trespassing issues and reprocussions, and any potential legal proceedings that might take place as a result of these peoples' apparent neglect. Keep your signs posted. Above all, work through the authorities on all matters, including legal, if necessary.

It certainly sounds like these people don't have much respect for others, especially your family, and they probably ascribe to "kindness means weakness" idea.

If you consider legal (or any action), these people may act irrationally and "strike back." Like I said before, you might want to keep the Sheriff's in the loop on anything that you do. Heck, if you pester the Sheriff's, they may just go do what you want, just to keep you from "bothering" them. :-)

Whatever you do, don't lose your cool. There was an incident locally where two neighbors in a gated community fought over a bench or something for years. One guy finally snapped and tried to hire a hitman. This neighbor is now in jail and will be for 5 years or so.

If the Sheriff's help doesn't work, I'd move, if I could.

Good luck!

mike

Posted 01-19-2004 at 16:10:18
[Reply][Send Email]I don't know where you are, or what age the kid's are, but I am sure that it is the same nation wide, if this is minors that are causing you all the problems you should call the Department Of Children Services, or the Department of Human Services and tell them what is going on. If they are using guns unsupervised, or roaming around the country causing problems, they will be dealt with. I don't know how it is everywhere, but if it is the same everywhere as it is in Tennessee they will be tied up awhile dealing with DCS and will not want them to come again on another complaint.By the way, you do not have to give them your name and they are required to investiagate all compalints. They just might decide that this is causing them more problems than it is worth. They will probably tell their kids to stay off your propetty.Give it a try,Mike

Juliana

Posted 01-19-2004 at 14:17:40
[Reply] [No Email]Document EVERYTHING! Use witnesses, cameras, tape recording of conversations with them. Call the police to start a paper trail and call the child abuse hotline. You don't have to give your name. Call the animal control. Don't be silent! Keep us posted and good luck.

Willy-N

Posted 01-19-2004 at 14:03:54
[Reply] [No Email]Sounds like you have been to nice to them. I would file charges agaist them for the paint ball and arrow thing for endangering you. If you file charges they haft to do something. You can't back down and run just stay on top of it and keep the camera handy a regular one so they can't say you alterd the pictures in court. I would be on them like flies on you know what. If there dogs came in my yard I would fall down and hurt myself and call the cops and say there dogs made you fall. If they had shot my dog well I won't say what I would do on the net. You need to start reversing the role and put it in there court. After a while of this they might back down but you can't quit. Before I would move from my place I would return the favor to them. I would have witnesses to anything the loose animals did along with what they did and press charges. I would put restraining orders on them to stay away from you and your family. If they break them call the cops and press charges you have rights and don't let them walk over you. Good luck it won't be easy but moving is not either. Mark H.

Ben Baucum

Posted 01-19-2004 at 12:52:27
[Reply] [No Email]they make those cameras hat you set out for deer hunting so you can see whats moving through at night. they are tripped by movement,you could put a couple of those up on your property and have pics. of them trespassing on your place. I figure tresspassing comes with a fine and then a record could be started on them. just be sure to document everything..

Posted 01-20-2004 at 07:49:32
[Reply] [No Email]They make completely infrared camera systems. They use infrared technology so that there is no flash at all to give their location away. They run about $300 or so and the picture quality is quite good given they are also digital. Good luck!

Griz

Griz

Posted 01-19-2004 at 11:39:52
[Reply] [No Email]Not sure if this would work but it might at least make them think twice before messing with you.

Posted 01-19-2004 at 11:01:28
[Reply][Send Email]hate to say it but unless your crappy neighbors move you will have to. if they have been there "forever" put your place up and get out! you can't edjucate or reform those type of folks and they may wind up killing you.get out!!!

Jim in Minn

Posted 01-19-2004 at 10:27:44
[Reply] [No Email]Just keep reporting the damage to the local authorities and your suspicions. Keep accurate records ie: photos, dates and pertinent info. as to each incident. Report your suspicions to the authorities. Numerous visits to your neighbor by the police may just trigger them into making a mistake where you can file a complaint and take them to civil court.

calypso

Posted 01-19-2004 at 10:11:20
[Reply][Send Email]You got some good practical suggestions below - but I want to address the horrible feelings that are caused by such problems. We had trouble with a couple neighbors (I won't go into details as they are much like what has been written here). We were starting to build on what we thought would be our final move and our dream property and house. This was on 3 acres in the country. We now have since moved to 80 acres and are hidden away at the back in a little valley of our own. We like to think we are good, caring and sharing neighbors; and do our best to live up to these labels. I have said and written before that living out where people are not on top of each other can be more of a problem with neighbors than the other. The people that live 'out' are fiercely independent and often are there because they couldn't exist close quarters with other folks. This meant to us 3 acres or 5 acres was worse that a lot in the city - we needed real distance. Now we have very nice neighbors in our area and it is easy to coexist. This isn't to say there aren't problems but 40 acre lots as the minimum tend to give enough space even when folks are fiercely independent and not necessarily the best types ;-) Our hearts were broken to have to not complete our dream. We were actually in fear and I wouldn't leave my wife alone there at the property. What a miserable feeling - ugh! I hope you find a resolve for all this. It really reads that you need to find a solution quickly. Cut your losses one way or the other.

Good Luck

Dave Wi.

Posted 01-19-2004 at 09:52:44
[Reply] [No Email] Might I suggest a vidio camera? Did that for a freind once who had trouble with a neighbor.Seems he was getting a summons for a barking dog when they left.I came over with a camera and sat in a beedroom and watched while they were gone,about 15 min after they left the neighbor came out and started throwing pea gravel at the dog.They showed the vidio to the old feller and told him if it happened again they would press charges for tresspassing. Unfortunatly the old feller passed a week later.

Posted 01-19-2004 at 09:37:35
[Reply] [No Email]This is a very difficult subject. There is probably nothing you can do. Obviously being friends didn't work.

Once we had this problem and couldn't solve it. We had been neighbors for over 20 years! When the kid got to be 10-11 years old, he was shooting our pets, and house etc. We put up an 8ft. fence. They turned us in to the zoning board. We had to prove the damages and we were able to keep fence.

When he set the dog house on fire, I decided to move. (His mom blamed me for having matches accessible in my house!)

That kid is now 19, and in prison for arson. Three houses and a boat burnt in my old neighborhood.

I guess you need to assess your level of danger, and make the decision. Sorry I wasn't much help. I understand how frightening it can be.

Joe Dirt

Posted 01-19-2004 at 09:29:22
[Reply] [No Email]Now I know where my old neighbors moved to...

Looks like the kids have gotten a little more rowdy since they moved though! Then again they are older now.

(the above was in jest)

(well mostly...)

I don't have any useful advice other than this; next time you get new neighbors, ignore them! Since the new neighbors moved in I made the effort to go over and say hi and nothing more. I know it's sad to not want anything to do with neighbors. Let them get there foot in the door and they will keep taking more and more until you get to thre point where YOU can't take it anymore.

BTW, have I mentioned how happy I am that they moved away? :-) No more dogs!

sHan in TN

Posted 01-19-2004 at 09:28:27
[Reply] [No Email]first i have to say to get more fence and signs, it seems you have done all you can to be nice and it didnt work, thats there fault. and as far as the sheriff a paint ball gun and bow & arrow IS a deadly weapon so he should have to do somthing about it..get a camera and take pictures of everything they do like paintball marks and bb or 22 holes then tell the cops you want to press charges for dammage, if the cops dont want to do anything then go to the states attorny and tell them, sombody has to do somthing about it if there is reports made, just keep making reports so there is proof that this has been going on for awhile. just dont retaliate(sp) back or you could be on the wrong end of the stick..shan

wvbill

Posted 01-19-2004 at 15:13:53
[Reply][Send Email]you let it get to far gone,,,almost.. the second time their horses got out you should have sued for damages...generally warn them the first time and then follow through...tell them if they shoot towards your house you will shoot back and that you have already talked to the police.....you have to have a feel for the situation...tell them you may sell to a bunch of gypsies.......otherwise build a fence of your own and get everything on tape you can..

some nuts use to shoot at a friends barn and he warned them that sometimes he camped there and if shot at would shoot back,,,,they moved......

Jim in Minn.

Posted 01-19-2004 at 17:33:04
[Reply] [No Email]Since he warned them, it would have been self defense.